May 26th, 2009 lheraty Posted in Home Buyer and Seller Tips, Sellers, repost Comments Off
The first impression really does count with potential home buyers. If your St Louis home is lacking basic curb appeal or is not sparkling inside, you could lose a potential buyer’s interest immediately - and never get it back! Here are some tips to avoid losing a potential buyer:
- Flowers, flowers, flowers. Nothing welcomes a potential buyer more to a home than colorful flowers.
- Keep walkways clear, trimmed and weeded.
- Patios must be power-washed.
- Windows should be sparkling.
- Dust everywhere. Even the baseboards.
- Since potential buyers look everywhere, make sure underneath your sinks and closets are clean, clutter-free and odor-free.
- Remove all personal items such as framed photos, awards and collectibles. Buyers need to be able to imagine the space as theirs.
- Paint any room that is a bright color, a neutral color.
- Remove any worn or outdated furniture.
- Repair any chipped or smudged paint, broken fixtures or squeaky doors.
- Toss worn carpets.
- Consider replacing dated hardware.
For more information about home staging go to Home Staging Information.
March 18th, 2009 lheraty Posted in "Green" Living, Appliances, Home Buyer and Seller Tips, Sellers, St. Louis Real Estate Sales Statistics, bamboo flooring Comments Off
Putting your house on the market is always a challenge in that you must look for ways to make it the most appealing it can be to potential buyers. Beyond the tried and true rules of emptying closets and keeping all rooms tidy and clean, here are some things you may not have thought of that can have major impact during a showing or open house. By the way, hiring a professional home stager almost always is a great investment.
- If you have a small room in your home that you would like to appear more spacious, paint it the same color as the room it is attached to. This will convey a more seamless, spacious feel. Another trick to convey spaciousness is to keep all window treatments in small rooms the same shade as the walls.
- Paint your sun room an attractive shade of green. It really does help to bring the outside in!
- If you have a narrow room, add wall shelving. This gives the space depth, without crowding out occupants.
- If you are upgrading to sell, choose Eco-friendly materials. Buyers are showing more interest in homes with these materials. For example, consider cost-efficient and “green” cork flooring instead of hardwoods.
- Consider breaking up a finished basement into “zones”. For example, furnish one area for reading, another area for a bar, one for games, one for a workspace with a desk and another for lounging in front of the television.
- If your kitchen is outdated and you do not want to renovate, replacing old appliances is highly suggested. Studies show that sellers recoup every penny spent on new appliances!
If you'd like me to check out your home and offer more suggestions, just give me a call at 314-267-2636. You can also visit home
St. Louis Home Prices website to submit a request.
Russell
